Definition
捉摸 means 'to fathom' or 'to figure out' — it's used when you try to grasp something that is elusive or uncertain. The word almost always appears in negative constructions like 捉摸不透 ('unfathomable'), 难以捉摸 ('hard to fathom'), or 捉摸不定 ('unpredictable'). It emphasizes that something is beyond clear understanding.
v.
to fathomto figure out (often in negative or uncertain contexts)
Examples
- 捉摸。Tā de xīnsī zhēnshi ràng rén zhuō mō bú tòu.His thoughts are truly unfathomable.
- ,捉摸。Zhè zhǒng tiānqì biànhuà duō duān, shízài nányǐ zhuō mō.This kind of weather changes so much; it's really hard to predict.
- ,。Wèilái de júshì hái zhuō mō bú dìng, shéi dōu wúfǎ duànyán.The future situation is still uncertain; no one can say for sure.
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